The Philokalia, volume 2various authors, compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy MountainA collection of texts written between the fourth and the fifteenth centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition.

1

"As the unitary cosmic principle, the Logos contains in Himself the multiple logoi (inner principles or inner essences, thoughts of God) in accordance with which all things come into existence at the times and places, and in the forms, appointed for them, each single thing thereby containing in itself the principle of its own development."

2

"Love unites those who have been divided and is able to create a single identity of will and purpose, free from faction, among many or among all; for the property of love is to produce a single will and purpose in those who seek what pertains to it." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'First Century of Various Texts'

3

"Indeed, the Saviour endured His sufferings so that 'He should gather together into one the scattered children of God' (John 11:52)." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Fourth Century on Love'

4

"The Holy Spirit is present unconditionally in all things, in that He embraces all things, provides for all, and vivifies the natural seeds within them." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'First Century of Various Texts'

5

"Intellect (nous): the highest faculty in man, through which – provided he is purified – he knows God or the inner essences or principles of created things by means of direct apprehension or spiritual perception….it understands divine truth by means of immediate experience, intuition, or simple cognition. The intellect dwells in the depths of the soul; it constitutes the innermost aspect of the heart."

6

"The treasures of wisdom truly are within us." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century on Theology'

7

"Concerning love the beloved disciple said, 'God is love, and he who dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him' (1 John 4:16)." St. Theodoros the Great Ascetic, 'A Century of Spiritual Texts'

8

"The centre of a circle is regarded as the indivisible source of all the radii extending from it;…pre-existing in God are all the inner essences of created things." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century on Theology'

9

"God Himself is the way, the door, the key and the kingdom….He enters by participation into all things." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century on Theology'

10

"There is one Divinity:…without parts, indivisible." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century on Theology'

11

"The apostle gives us the following definition of faith: 'Faith makes real for us things hoped for, gives assurance of things not seen' (Hebrews 11:1). One may also justly define it as an engrained blessing." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century of Various Texts'

12

"God created human nature a partaker of every divine blessing." 'A Discourse on Abba Philimon'

13

"Love is distinguished by the beauty of recognizing the equal value of all." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century of Various Texts'

14

"Strive to love every man equally." St. Thalassios the Libyan, 'Second Century'

15

"Every man possesses that which is according to the image of God, 'for the gifts of God are irrevocable' (cf. Romans 11:29)." St. John of Damaskos, 'On the Virtues and the Vices'

16

"Through active virtue desire is brought under control and anger is bridled." St. Theodoros the Great Ascetic, 'A Century of Spiritual Texts'

17

"The disposition which makes us capable of receiving divine blessings depends on ourselves." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Third Century of Various Texts'

18

"Since we were originally created by God as 'very good' (Genesis 1:31), we owe it to God to be such." St. Theodoros, the Great Ascetic, 'A Century of Spiritual Texts'

19

"God by nature is always one and alone, substantively and absolutely, containing in Himself all-inclusively the totality of substantive being." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'First Century on Theology'

20

"God embraces in unity the spiritual knowledge of all created things, providentially permeating all things with His power, and vivifying their inner essences in accordance with their nature." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'First Century of Various Texts'

21

"Truth admits of no plurality, and reveals itself as single and unique." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Third Century of Various Texts'

22

"Love alone harmoniously joins all created things with God and with each other." St. Thalassios the Libyan, 'On Love, Self-control and Life in accordance with the Intellect'

23

"Those who seek the Lord should not look for Him outside themselves; on the contrary, they must seek Him within themselves through faith made manifest in action." St. Maximos the Confessor, 'Second Century on Theology'

24

"Prayer is converse with God, contemplation of the invisible,…a stimulus towards the divine, the assurance of things longed for, 'making real the things for which we hope' (Hebrews 11:1)." St. Theodoros the Great Ascetic, 'A Century of Spiritual Texts'

25

"Think good thoughts about what is good by nature, and think well of every man." St. Thalassios the Libyan, 'Third Century'